Stamps Ahead

 This is layout I created for their July Challenge at What's in the Bickie Tin?   The challenge was a "Stash Buster" challenge. And we were required to use 4 Patterned Paper, 3 Clusters, 2 Tags and a title. Patterned paper were from Unmistakeable Creations "Count Your Blessings" collection. For the first time in a long time I used a die cut 'memory' I cut 4 of the die cut (the last being white cardstock) and adhered them together. I also used up some metallic dots, cheescloth and a frame was from 49 & Market. The photo, of my sister, was taken whilst we enjoyed High Tea for her birthday in January this year at Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney. A memory that will last for a long time. My journalling will go on the blue tag - by the way, my sister's favourite colour is blue. Thank you for looking. Margaret

 Twice in one day! This time the layout is sunrise in Sydney, taken from my cabin window on Level 3, at 6am on the 9th February, 2025.  How special were these views - the start of a magnificent day ahead.  This layout truly uses bits and pieces from my stash - I cannot tell you how long I have had the chipboard clockface!  If you read yesterday's post, you see my reference to using Project Life cards - well one more has been reduced from my stash. Thank you for looking, Margaret  #calvinball #calvinball 2025 #scraphappy

Another layout for the numbers and letters cyber crop with White with 1 Challenges . Challenge 1 BIG LETTERS. In May this year I visited with my friend Kathy in Florida USA.  On 16/5/2024 we went to one of the recreation centres in The Villages where she lives to play Bingo - her regular table players welcomed me and were very interested in Australia, several having visited over the years. It cost US$17 for two cards plus several smaller cards. Very different to how I remember playing Bingo in the past and it took me a bit of time to get the gist of the games.  It was fun and much laughter.  I did not win but Kathy and several of the other ladies were lucky.  We did go back later during my visit again no wins! The only big letters I had in my stash were these from many years ago and as I did not have an entire alphabet had to make some creative adjustments.   Thank you for looking, Margaret

 Christmas tags that I have created for a workshop I am leading tomorrow at a local community group: It was fun to put each kit, that participants will receive, together.  I used supplies from my stash so each person's tags will be constructed with different patterned paper. These tags using a stamped edge of stitching rather than using a sewing machine.  I am donating the entire cost of the workshop to the group for their continuing work with mission support. Tags can be used for gift giving, scrapbooking or junk journalling.  Thank you for looking. 

It's official, I love Junk Journals. I love the collecting of bits and pieces, the putting together and the discoveries along the way. This journal contains die cuts left over from scrapbooking projects. Enjoy I used one 12" x 12" (30cm x 30cm) scrapbook paper for the journal.  The tie is made of a torn piece of cotton fabric that I dyed with tea.  All edges in journal I edged with Vintage Photo ink. The book paper is from a French book - Life in a French town. This journal I used a sewing machine to attach the pages.  For the pages I used my tea-dyed paper that I made, the scrapbook page and a piece of handmade paper from my stash.  Lots of room for journaling or additional bits and  pieces.   I "smooched" additional Vintage Photo ink on the right hand page - loved the result. Left hand page I attached a small piece of torn fabric ruched up and I love that little bit of thread hanging off it. Small bits of washi tape left over from card kits I prepare...

Welcome to 2022. Here is a fun card I created today - choose happy - a good reminder for the year ahead. The stamp set is by AALL & Create - choose happy #478. Not my usual style but I have been seeing lots of their stamp images on-line and bought just this one stamp set to 'have a go'. I raided my stash for the embellishments and coloured with my alcohol markers.

Here is another layout I completed today.  The photos were taken at McMasters Beach in February as my sister and I and a friend enjoyed morning tea overlooking the ocean. I was on pinterest and somehow I got onto stash busting layouts and I found one that gave me inspiration for this layout.  I was on Lasting Memories blog and I was inspired by the banners and the note paper punching on the right side of Lesley's layout. I have left some thanks on the blog for her. Papers are from several piles of paper I have laying around - the eagle eyed my spot some Kaisercraft (papers,stickers and rhinestones) and some very old Stampin' Up papers. This is another layout that I am putting into Calvinball 2020 and here are the 'rules' I used. Single page layout Shared with Calvinball2020 facebook page Added to pinterest Circles Handwritten journaling (it is there snippet of today)  Multiple photos Green - stickers that have wording on them Woodgrain paper (temporary ru...

I lead a community card class each Friday during school terms.   With Easter approaching I asked my ladies (there are no men attending) did they want to make an Easter Card.  Yes, BUT they did not want bunnies, chickens, eggs, yellow, pastel colours etc. So I came up with this card - they loved it. I found the design on Pinterest - it is a great way to use up scraps of paper. This card is going onto an Easter card challenge on Soul Scrappers. Thank you for looking, Margaret.

Okay, something different I am participating in a Grab 5 challenge over at Soul Scrappers.  The challenge is to grab 5 older items from your stash (the older the better) or anything you are about to use. There other rules: Take a photo of your items before you start You must use one or more things from each item. Or use a new tool you are yet to try out. Here is my layout: Here is a photo of my before items......I went deep into the bowels of my stash for these! There are 12" square fabric sheets (some sheets had been used as there are scraps in the pack); remnants of a Club Scrap kit from February 2006; Big Honking stickers; Rusty Pickle buttons unopened; Shell stick pins from Jenni Bowlin, also unopened.  With the exception of Club Scrap remnants how long I have had the rest is anyone's guess. I have used the fabric paper for first 2 layers - the fabric paper was not square I just went with it. I have also fussy cut several of the flowers from the fabric pape...

Okay, had fun creating the cards below for challenges over at Soul Scrappers for their 6th Birthday Bash. Sit back this is a longish post showing all the cards I have made. Challenge - add stamping to a card.   For this card I have used a stamp set I purchased in England recently by Woodware Craft Collection called Square Garden.   I have coloured in the image with my Faber-Castell coloured pencils. Challenge - add a number.    This card is heading to Wales, next year for a friends 90th birthday celebrations.   The dotty image is a Kaisercraft Card Creations die - you can cut, emboss and stencil with it.  Challenge - Using Die Cuts.   A really easy card to put together, I used Kaisercraft Take a Note die cuts.  I good way to use up all those die cuts in your stash. Challenge - Masculine card.  I have embossed onto some core co-ordination paper and then rubbed with sand paper to expose inside core. This is t...

I have been on holidays (vacation to my USA friends/readers) in Europe and England for the past 6 weeks. The quote on this layout is appropriate.  Why? A week before we (my sister and I) were due to fly out to Paris, terrorism struck that beautiful city. Of course, we had some hesitation - should we go, what were are options if we pulled out, would our Trafalgar Tour still go ahead (it did) - more about that in later posts. In the end, we decided to go - take the chance and not let terrorism be the winner.  This photo was taken at sunset from one of the bridges over the Seine River near our hotel. Quite a special moment. The papers and most of the embellishments I have had in my stash for ages, I just gathered up everything that I thought would co-ordinate. Happy new year to all who read my blog, more layouts to come. Thank you for looking - and remember we only regret the chances we didn't take. Margaret :)

The current (ending today) scrap lift challenge at Soul Scrappers and here is my layout: The photo is of my sister and I enjoying morning tea at my favourite beachside café earlier this year.  My layout is not as fussy as the inspiration and I have used a lot of my stash.  The bricks are Molossi chipboard and I have inked with pink ink.  This weekend I was at a scrapbooking retreat and I have lots of completed layouts that I will share with you in coming days. Thank you for looking, keep smiling.   Margaret :)